‘Not a single day passes that I don’t feel shame, anger and anxiety,’ sex predator’s victim tells court

One of the victims of a man who preyed on boys in a 30-year period feels he is not entitled to anything without being sexually abused first. WARNING: GRAPHIC DETAIL

WARNING: CONFRONTING

One of the victims of a man who sexually abused six boys in a 30-year period says he believes he is not entitled to anything without being assaulted first as a result of his trauma.

The extent of John David Pike’s actions were revealed on Monday, as the Queensland man faced Brisbane District Court for sentencing on historic sexual assault charges.

Members in the public gallery stared down Pike, 73, as he appeared via video link.

He last week pleaded guilty to a range of serious charges, including indecent treatment of boys under 16, carnal knowledge, rape and indecent assault upon males.

The offences occurred multiple times between 1974 and 2006 across various locations in Queensland.

Pike, originally from Slacks Creek, was due to fight the charges but made an 11th-hour confession on the morning of his trial on September 15.

The court was told Pike was manipulative in his dealings with the boys, who were plied with alcohol prior to the offences.

Crown prosecutor Alexandra Baker said there was a “predatory” flavour to Pike’s offending.

“They involve many occasions of oral sex, masturbation and anal penetration of three of the complainants, and digital anal penetration of the first,” Ms Baker said.

“There’s no overt violence but that must be seen through … the way in which the defendant approached the complainants.”

Ms Baker said Pike, a family friend of one of the victims, at times offended against the boys while they slept.

Brisbane District Court was told John David Pike acted as a father figure to one of his victims, often manipulating him with gifts and trips during the period of abuse.

Reading from his statement, one of Pike’s victims said he had “thoughts and reactions” of what happened “every day” and had attempted suicide multiple times.

The man said Pike began to act as a father figure to him when his family moved closer.

The sexual abuse started when the man was 14 and continued until age 16.

“He had a big house, a boat, Corvette, he bought me presents, we ate at restaurants and took holidays,” the man said.

“Then the sexual part started, slowly at first.

“It seemed to ramp up and become a part of life.”

The man said his life started “spiralling out of control” and told the court Pike had taken complete control of him.

“Gifts most often had strings attached, he thought nothing of taking a gift back or finishing a holiday early if I did not meet his expectations,” the man said.

“These expectations could be sexual, emotional or he just wanted something done.

“Not a single day passes that I don’t feel shame, anger and anxiety.

“I feel guilt and shame every day, knowing others suffered after I did and I never spoke up.

“To this day, I don’t believe I’m entitled to anything without being f***ed first.”

Pike, clad in prison greens and wearing a face mask, did not show much emotion but occasionally wiped away tears.

Pike’s defence lawyer, Scott Neaves, said he was remorseful for his actions.

“With regard to the time the last offence occurred, my client’s age and his plea of guilty, those features together indicate the risk of reoffending is particularly low,” Mr Neaves said.

Judge Vicki Loury adjourned the sentencing until Friday.

Originally published as ‘Not a single day passes that I don’t feel shame, anger and anxiety,’ sex predator’s victim tells court